As EPTurns50, we want to celebrate a few of our longest-standing Classic tours that are emblematic of our history, expansion, and success: Bike Across Italy, the Best of Provence, and Cycling the Camino de Santiago.
Although ExperiencePlus! expanded tours into Costa Rica, Greece and Portugal prior to France and Spain — and yes, we have significantly evolved our touring style to include basic shorter tours, multi-week Expeditions, boats and gravel — these three Classic tours started under the original ExperiencePlus! leadership of Rick and Paola Price and remain among our most popular and well-loved tours. These are the three ExperiencePlus! tours we think every cyclist should ride.
We will feature the history, evolution, and staying power of each of these tours in the Rambler Newsletter between December 2021 and February 2022. You can link to each story below and see our latest updates on special on-tour celebrations and commemorative swag we’ll be offering throughout 2022. If you’ve never taken one of these tours, 2022 will be the year to make it happen so don’t delay! Make your reservations today.
Bike Across Italy
From the iconic canals of Venice to the leaning tower of Pisa, Bike Across Italy is simply the perfect tour. Its length is ideal: 12 days from coast to coast with a two-night respite in Florence. The cycling is smooth, the hills plentiful but not overwhelming, the route carefully curated. The food is abundant, fresh and will make your taste buds swoon. The small towns we ride through, visit and stay in are full of unexpected delight. Every day is an adventure.
Bike Across Italy is the signature ExperiencePlus! tour and if you have yet to experience it, we have four ways to make it happen in 2022:
- Win a trip for two on Bike Across Italy by sharing your favorite bike ride anywhere. Details here.
- Join any 2022 departure and you’ll be treated to a special on-tour experience and receive commemorative Bike Across Italy cycling apparel.
- Explore the Bike Across Italy rides that tour leaders and staff nominated for our Top 50 EP Day Rides collection.
- Learn about the tour’s history, evolution, and staying power in this special anniversary feature story.
Best of Provence Plus! the Luberon and Aix-en-Provence
The region of Provence features some of France’s most emblematic vistas that have inspired artists for generations. In fact, its small country roads will lead you to discover the secrets behind the local artisans savoir-faire. You visit places where Van Gogh and Cézanne painted a majority of their most well-known paintings. This trip also gives you a superb view of both medieval and Roman masterpieces such as the theater and arena in Arles, the impressive Pont du Gard, and the medieval jewel of Uzès.
Best of Provence has something for everyone and if you have yet to experience it, we have three ways to make it happen in 2022:
- Join any 2022 departure and you’ll be treated to a special on-tour event and receive commemorative Best of Provence bike apparel.
- Explore the Best of Provence rides that tour leaders and staff nominated for our Top 50 EP Day Rides collection.
- Learn about the tour’s history, evolution, and staying power in this special anniversary feature story.
Cycling the Camino de Santiago
From Roncesvalles near the border of France and Spain in Navarra, this bicycle tour crosses four regions of Spain en route to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicía. Our route closely follows one of the most-well known pilgrim’s paths, the Camino Francés, while keeping to gently traveled country roads. The Camino’s history and mythology have inspired generations of travelers to embark on a personal quest of self-discovery while encountering Gothic cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and miles of unspoiled rural scenery.
Cycling the Camino de Santiago is an epic adventure and if you have yet to experience it, we have three ways to make it happen in 2022:
- Join any 2022 departure and you’ll be treated to a special on-tour event and receive commemorative Camino de Santiago bike apparel.
- Explore the Cycling the Camino de Santiago rides that EP tour leaders and staff nominated for our Top 50 EP Day Rides collection.
- Learn about the tour’s history, evolution, and staying power in this special anniversary feature story.